STARTING LINE-UP

GK - Dave Newman

RB - James Girkin

CB - Alan Street

CB - Drew Girkin

LB - Ben Avery

RCM - Jon Girkin

CM - Andrew Walker

LCM - Graham Street

RCF - Kabba Stevens

ST - Gareth Waterhouse

LCF - Warren Thomas

 SUBS - Paul Street

SUBS - Nick Norton

SUBS - Simon Levi

 

 

Escape FC’s third competitive fixture of the season pitted them against 3rd division side Arcese in the Premier Cup.

Several changes were made to the side that previously had lost out to Nomads 2 weeks ago. Alan Street came in to the defence, pushing Kabba Stevens into a more attacking role and Andrew Walker replaced Russell Nelson, with Jon Girkin playing on the right side of a three man midfield.

A wind and rain swept London Marathon Playing Fields would prove tough on both teams and immediately took effect on Arcese as Escape pushed forward a goal seemed imminent. The closest Escape came was through Andrew Walker’s free kick, wide left of the goal, that the opposition ‘keeper could only tip over the bar. From the resulting corner, Walker’s ball found Alan Street who, after making a near post run, flicked the ball into the net to give Escape the lead. Gareth Waterhouse was sent through with just the ‘keeper to beat but was tripped just outside the box and with no card issued and the free kick leading to nothing, Escape felt a little short changed, the game then became very one sided as Escape piled forward in search of more goals and nearly doubled their lead when Alan Street’s long free kick found Warren Thomas and leaning back deflected the ball with his head onto the post. The only notable chance for the away side in the first half found Alan Street seemingly tripped by an Arcese attacker but no foul was given, he then rounded Dave Newman, only to have his effort diverted away from danger by Andrew Girkin’s sliding block. Escape did double their lead when another Walker corner found Gareth Waterhouse at the near post and his flicked header made it 2-0 to the home side.

The second half saw a dramatic change for Escape, with the wind in their faces, suddenly they had a lot more defending to do. With ten minutes gone a ball into the Escape box wasn’t dealt with and Andrew Girkin’s challenge was deemed heavy enough for a penalty to be awarded. This was duly dispatched to make the score line 2-1 and prompted a double change for Escape, James Girkin being replaced by Nick Norton and Warren Thomas being replaced by Paul Street. The changes would have little effect on the game as Arcese pulled level when a shot was spilled by Dave Newman and the ball bundled into the net, with nobody wanting to claim the final touch. It would get worse for Escape as a speculative effort from distance found the back of the net and made it 3-2 to the away side. Arcese began to try and play the game out but Kabba Stevens and Paul Street linked up well and Stevens through ball found Gareth Waterhouse and he finished to make it 3-3. The game now seemingly heading towards extra time, Escape looked to take the initiative and came within inches when Graham Street’s curling shot was tipped round the post by the Arcese ‘keeper. However there was a sting in the tail when a free kick found an unmarked attacker who headed the ball into the net and made it 4-3 to the away side. The game looked to be over for Escape but still had chances to get back into the game but failed to find the net for a fourth time.

Escape FC Man Of The Match: Gareth Waterhouse  - Rapidly running out of superlatives for this man... Player of the season so far!!

Escape FC Donkey Of The Match: Drew Girkin - Conceded a penalty to let them back in the game and pulled out of position for the 3rd goal, not a good day for the former skipper.

Escape FC Miss Of The Match: Warren Thomas - Saw his name in lights, leathered a shot over the bar when it would have been easier to pass it into the net.